Free The Extinction Switch: Book three of the Kato's War series by Andrew C. Broderick

months and three weeks now.”
    “In tandem with the effort to blow Vesta up?” Korolev said.
    “Of course.” Kato sighed. “On a related note, I’ve decided to use some of ISI’s ships for the Mars evacuation.”
    “Is that so?” Phillips said.
    “Well, Seung Yi has to think we’re at least trying our best to get everyone off there. But, I’m still giving the Pentagon first dibs on the ships. I’ll only use whichever ones aren’t needed for the attack.”
    ----
    There was a knock at the front door. David answered, peering past the unshaven man in front of him at the burgeoning refugee camp in the street. “Yes?”
    “Have you got any room to spare?” the man asked plaintively. He wore a brown bathrobe.
    “No, sorry.”
    “But, I know these are two bedroom units. Surely? Please?”
    “We’re using both of them, and we have guests. There’s no room at the inn. Sorry.”
    “S’okay.” The downcast man shuffled off to the next apartment.
    After a last look around outside, David closed the door. “I guess you three were lucky,” he called into the living room to Antonio, Annabelle and Kassandra, on his way past. “You beat the masses in getting underground.” He then headed back into his bedroom and closed the door.
    The three friends were conversing in hushed, strained tones. “I’m afraid of what’s gonna happen when they find out I’m not French,” Kassandra said. “I’m not sure where I’ll go.”
    “Me too,” Antonio said. “I expect we’ll be deported.”
    A half hour later, there was another knock. “Viv,” David hollered from the bedroom.
    “You answer it,” she replied from the kitchen.
    “Grrr,” David grumbled, as he walked down the hall. He opened the door slightly. Two women stood there, a mother and her grown daughter. “Please could you take us in?”
    “No, sorry, there’s no room.”
    “Please, I’m begging you sir...” the younger woman tried to jam her foot in the door, but David closed the door before she could. After that, the knocking never stopped.
    “Muni alert… red this time…” Vivianne mumbled, while feeding Etienne. She had seen the light on the countertop flashing. She waved her hand over it to bring up the midair display. Its normal cool blue was replaced by large, flashing red text. It read: WARNING! A BREAKAWAY FACTION OF THE ARMY IS INVADING THE UNDERGROUND SECTION OF LYON, DISPLACING RESIDENTS FROM THEIR HOMES. AFFECTED AREAS ARE CURRENTLY CENTER WEST AND NEAR NORTH. POLICE AND ARMY ARE RESPONDING.
    Vivianne blinked twice, and clapped a hand to her mouth. “Center West! That’s us!” she screamed. “David! David! There’s going to be a war! Down here!” He was there within seconds.
    He scanned the text. “Oh, my God! What do we do? Any idea if they’re near here yet?”
    “No.”
    “I’ll take a look outside. Don’t open the door unless it’s me.” He exited the apartment. Rue Delacort was now awash with a steady stream of wandering people. The sidewalk was becoming more jammed with makeshift tents by the minute.
    “When will this end?” the voices said. “Jesus, help us!”
    David pushed his way down the block to the intersection with Rue Borchal. He rounded the corner to the right, and looked down past the tent city. Bright lights headed towards him at speed. They belonged to a large, black armored vehicle. “This area is now under the control of the New People’s Republic of France!” a loudspeaker boomed. “You are to give up your housing units. The evacuation will be done in an orderly fashion.” Screams rose as people on the sidewalk stampeded down Rue Borchal, some making a left onto Rue Delacort.
    “Oh shit!” David ran back up the street through the swarm and pounded on the door. “Viv! Viv! Let me in!” The lock clicked. He barged in, almost knocking Vivianne over, and slammed the door behind him. “It’s for real! They’re coming!” he panted.
    Vivianne turned white. “What do we do? There’s